State child welfare department mulls measures to combat child abuse

The state social welfare and women and child development department of Saturday called for better measures from the different agencies in the state to combat child abuse.

“It is imperative to sensitise parents, teachers and officials against the different forms of abuse. Many times young girls or boys do not know that a particular touch is wrong. Or, some of these children are too scared or shy to talk about it,” said Satbir Silas Bedi, principal secretary of the department of social welfare and women and child development of the Delhi government.

Bedi’s comments came on the sidelines of a meeting held by the department to develop a system, or work on guidelines to for the sensitisation of child sex abuse. Bedi also called for the co-operation of the various agencies of the state, society and the various stakeholders to work on the programme.

Bedi also said that tools like audio visual messages must be sent out to the masses so that awareness can be created.

“Prevention of these heinous crimes can happen only with mass awareness programmes in schools and at community centres. Parents, teachers and role models alike must take up the responsibility,” said Bedi.

The state child protection society (SCPS) will also work on welfare programs that not only create awareness about child abuse, but wil also disseminate information on these issues. The programmes will also look at changes in the legislations and work on various services for children.